Spinal injection trainer and methods therefore
AssigneeBioTras Holdings, LLC
InventorsJohnny Wayne East, Brandon Knutson, Edwin V. East, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
For use in training needle techniques such as spinal anesthesia and or lumbar epidural steroid injections, a spinal model includes a complete natural bone vertebral column that is embedded in a matrix of crystal clear ballistic gel. The synthetic gel does not harbor bacteria, can be reused and does not require refrigeration. Natural bone offers significantly better image contrast over radiopaque replicas. A transparent synthetic gel matrix permits observation of needle progression by both the trainee and the trainer and provides unique opportunities for coaching and intercession to prevent poor needle placement prior to its occurrence.
Claims20
A model for anatomic training and injection practice, comprising:
- a visibly clear thermally fusible synthetic gel matrix formed with at least one contoured surface, the contoured surface simulating a partial human torso;
- a skeletal structure embedded within the synthetic gel matrix at the same location as the corresponding skeletal structure is located in a human, at least a portion of the skeletal structure producing a fluoroscopic image with an image contrast representative of human bone;
- wherein visible needle tracks are formed in the synthetic gel matrix, resulting from needle penetration and extraction of a needle along the path of the needle after insertion at a point on the contoured surface to a target below the contoured surface, at least a portion of the needle tracks extending along the path remaining visible until the needle tracks are fused closed with a heat source, whereby the needle tracks are fused closed upon heating the synthetic gel matrix such that the needle tracks are no longer visible in the synthetic gel matrix;
- and
- at least one synthetic simulated soft tissue structure embedded in the synthetic gel matrix, the synthetic simulated soft tissue structure embedded in the synthetic gel matrix at a position corresponding to the same location, relative to the contoured surface, as the corresponding soft tissue structure is located in a human torso.
A model for anatomic training and injection practice, comprising:
- a visibly clear thermally fusible synthetic gel matrix formed with at least one contoured surface, the contoured surface simulating a partial human torso;
- a skeletal structure embedded within the synthetic gel matrix, the skeletal structure positioned, relative to the contoured surface, at the same location as the corresponding skeletal structure is located in a human torso, at least a portion of the skeletal structure producing a fluoroscopic image with an image contrast representative of human;
- the skeletal structure including at least one synthetic simulated soft tissue structure embedded in the synthetic gel matrix at least a portion of the synthetic simulated soft tissue structure embedded in the synthetic gel matrix at a position corresponding to the same location, relative to the contoured surface, as the corresponding soft tissue structure is located in a human torso;
- and
- at least one heat source embedded in the synthetic gel matrix, the heat source providing localized heating of a portion of the synthetic gel matrix whereby visible needle tracks formed in the synthetic gel matrix during needle insertion are fused closed upon heating the synthetic gel matrix such that the needle tracks are no longer visible in the synthetic gel matrix.
A method of making a model for anatomic training and injection practice, comprising:
- positioning, within a form having a contoured portion simulating a partial torso, a skeletal structure, at least a portion of the vertebral column producing a fluoroscopic image representative of the structure of human bone;
- embedding, the skeletal structure in a visibly clear, thermally fusible, synthetic ballistic gel matrix, wherein, upon curing, the skeletal structure positioned within the form, relative to the contoured surface, at the same location as the corresponding skeletal structure is located in a human torso, and wherein at least a portion of visible needle tracks formed through the synthetic gel matrix along the path of a needle upon insertion at a point on the contoured surface to a target below the contoured surface remain visible until the needle tracks are fused closed with a heat source, whereby the needle tracks are fused closed upon heating the synthetic gel matrix such that the needle tracks are no longer visible in the synthetic gel matrix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.